Refrigerated Enclosure With Health Related Functions

ABSTRACT

A refrigerated cooler for storing food and other applications having a controller and a temperature sensor that monitors the temperature inside the food compartment and compares the monitored temperature to a stored predetermined temperature and a controller controlled door lock that is placed in the lock position by the controller if the monitored temperature is compared to be greater than the stored predetermined temperature or if the supply of power to the cooler is interrupted to restrict a customer&#39;s access to the food inside that may be unsafe due to the monitored temperature being greater than the stored predetermined temperature.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional App. No. 61/833,493 filed Jun. 11, 2013 which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to refrigerated coolers and more specifically to refrigerated coolers that prevent access to contents of the cooler when the temperature of the cooler has risen above a safe value.

BACKGROUND ART

Coolers that have a refrigeration system and maintain the food inside at a pre-recorded limits are known in the industry. Industry standards require that certain foods be refrigerated. Still further, some foods are unsafe for human consumption when their temperature during storage rises above a certain temperature. There has also been in increase in the number of unattended and lightly staffed micro-sites where human monitoring of food storage temperature may be insufficient.

There is a need in the industry for a cooler that automatically prevents access to the food items when their temperatures have risen above a certain temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a cooler equipped with a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature inside the cooler. When the temperature drops below a minimum level for more than a predetermined length of time, the cooler controller locks the door and prevents access to the food stored inside. The situation usually occurs when the cooler's power supply fails or refrigeration system quits working.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the type and construction of the front door lock. A common type of lock will lock the door when the power is interrupted and remains locked until the power is restored and a reset condition occurs. The improvement provided will only open the door if health conditions are maintained.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the construction of the latch-solenoid-lock combination that is used to lock the cooler door when health safety hazards occur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a refrigerated cooler according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a health timer lock mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a cooler health safety controller according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows the door latch mechanism in an open position according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows the door latch mechanism in a closed position according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a door latch (hook) according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic assembly of the cooler according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a cooler 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The cabinet 12 is durable and is made of high density material, foamed-in-place; one-piece cabinet 12 provides maximum degree of structural integrity. The standard configuration has 6-shelves with a full-length glass cooler door 13; there are also models with 5-shelves. Not visible in FIG. 1 are shelves equipped with beverage can/bottle guides, as is known in the art.

The cabinet 12 is built strong such that multiple coolers 10 can be stacked three high thereby optimizing inventory storage space. Grills 14 are made of heavy gauge steel for durability.

The cabinet 12 is easy to maintain. The cooler 10 further comprises a refrigeration module capable of easily be sliding in and out for ease of cleaning and replacement.

Ideally, a temperature control for controlling the internal temperature of the cooler 10 is not visible to a loader or customer, discouraging unnecessary adjustment.

Illumination lamps are provided that include illumination lamp shields that protect packaged food in the cooler 10 in case of accidental lamp breakage.

There is no exposed wiring on an outside surface of the cooler 10 to optimize safety and cosmetic appearance.

The grill 14 covering the refrigeration module is easy to remove and replace for cleaning and servicing access.

The refrigeration system module 16 is located behind the grill 14 and is visible in FIG. 3. Cooler operation and the refrigeration cycle is controlled by a health safety controller 18 located next to the refrigeration system module 16 and is visible in FIG. 3. Temperature sensors 20 located inside the cooler 10 monitor the ambient temperature and report it to the health safety controller 18. If the ambient temperature inside the cooler 10 rises above a threshold temperature or if the ambient temperature inside the cooler 10 rises above a threshold temperature for a predetermined amount of time, the health safety controller 18 will lock the cooler door 13 such that the food is inaccessible to a customer. The cooler 10 further includes a sensor 40 that detects whether the door 13 is open or closed.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cooler further includes a lock mechanism 30 is mounted to the cooler 10 and has a latch arm 32. The latch arm 32 is controlled by a solenoid 34 that is controlled by the health safety controller 18. The latch arm 32 can be operated to engage a catch 36 mounted to the door 13 to lock the door 13 in a closed position. When the solenoid 34 is energized, the latch arm 32 is lifted, thereby unlocking the door 13. When the solenoid 34 is de-energized the latch arm 32 is lowered to engage the catch 36. In this manner, when the cooler 10 loses power, the door 13 becomes locked. Alternatively, this operation could be reversed so that the cooler door 13 remains unlocked when the cooler 10 loses power.

Alternatively, the solenoid 34 may be powered with a voltage of (+) polarity to close the lock and a voltage of (−) polarity to open the lock. If there is no AC power the solenoid will lose power and will close the lock. The only disadvantage of this construction is that the solenoid will have to continuously sustain 100% of the power; it will have to be a 100% duty cycle solenoid.

If the solenoid 34 function is limited to only latch the lock in the open or closed position the power requirement for the solenoid is much less restrictive and require a more economical solenoid. However, in case of total AC power loss a relatively small power storage means like a capacitor or dc power supply (battery) will be needed in order to pulse the solenoid accordingly.

A safety release button 38 is further provided that allows person who has become trapped in the cooler to open the cooler door from the inside if the cooler door becomes locked while a person is inside. Further, optionally, a key lock 40 (FIG. 2) may be provided which allows a person to open the cooler door 13 from the outside with a key should the door become locked by the latch arm 32. Such access would allow authorized individuals access to the cooler 10, such as in the case of power failure.

An external release may also be provided for use when supply power is lost to the cooler 10 and access to the inside of the cooler 10 is necessary. To use the external release, one may insert an object, such as a pencil or similar object, into an access hole located on the back of the lock assembly and angle the pencil upward, then push down to release operate the latch arm 32.

The health safety controller 18 operates the solenoid 34 that locks the cooler door 13 that prevents customers from taking food items out of the cooler if the cooler temperature rises above a certain temperature, for example 41 degrees Fahrenheit for a predetermined period, following FDA and NSF guidelines for potentially hazardous prepackaged foods. The health safety controller 18 includes a specialized circuit or processor, software algorithms and logic for monitoring temperature and activating the lock, for example utilizing relays to operate the solenoid 34.

In special cases, the safety controller software algorithm allows for loading the cooler without activating the lock in the event of excessive temperature rise.

A display can optionally be provided to facilitate service personnel setting up the conditions for the health safety controller 18, like temperature limits and durations. The display can be as simple as an LED display or an alphanumeric/images/audio capable display.

The display can also be used to inform the customer of the cooler's 10 status. This may be important when the cooler door 13 is locked for a health issue.

The cooler 10 and cooler door 13 can optionally be provided without the lock of FIGS. 4 and 5. If there is no lock, the health situation will only be indicated on the display and an audio enunciator may optionally sound. If there is a lock, the door will be locked any time a pre-registered health situation occurs.

Health Safety Controller Operation

-   -   1. When the health safety controller 18 is first powered up, a         health safety error will occur and will be displayed on the         display (if there are only diagnostic LEDs, the LED will be used         to indicate the error) and the door solenoid will be supplied         with a signal to lock the door. This is intended to prevent         access to spoiled food or drinks whenever the previous state of         the refrigeration is unknown.     -   2. To reset the health safety error, the service personnel will         press a RESET switch. This will clear all errors, supply a         signal to the solenoid to unlock the door and initiate a timer.     -   3. Upon reset, the controller will enter a “grace” period. At         the end of this grace period, the controller will sample the         cabinet temperature to see if the temperature is below a         predetermined temperature, such as 41° F. (5° C.). The length of         this grace period is determined by the state of the door switch         at the time the reset button is pressed.         -   a. If the door is open at the time of reset, the controller             will allow a first grace period, for example a 60-minute             grace period.         -   b. If the door is closed, the controller will allow a second             grace period, such as a 30-minute grace period.         -   c. If at the end of the applicable grace period (for             example, 30 or 60 minutes) the temperature is not below the             predetermined temperature (for example, 41° F. (5° C.)), the             controller will trigger a health safety error and signal the             solenoid 34 to lock the door and signal the display and/or             diagnostic LED to indicate a health safety error.     -   4. The health safety controller 18 constantly monitors the         cabinet temperature. After the initial grace period has expired,         the controller will assume normal operation and watch for an         unexpected rise in temperature.         -   a. If the temperature is observed to rise above a             predetermined temperature, such as 41° F. (5° C.), the             health safety controller 18 will start a timer for a             predetermined amount of time, such as 15 minutes.         -   b. If the temperature remains above the predetermined             temperature for more than the predetermined timer length,             the health safety controller 18 will trigger a health safety             error and signal the solenoid 34 to lock the door 13.         -   c. If, within the predetermined timer period, the             temperature returns below the predetermined temperature, no             health safety error will occur.     -   5. The health safety controller 18 constantly monitors the state         of the door switch. If the controller 18 determines that the         door switch has cycled (i.e., gone from closed to open or open         to closed), the controller will begin a grace period. The length         of this grace period will depend upon the state of the door         after the transition has occurred.         -   a. If the door is open after the transition, the health             safety controller 18 will allow a predetermined grace             period, such as 60 minutes.         -   b. If the door is closed after the transition, the             controller will allow a second predetermined grace period,             such as 30 minutes.         -   c. If the door again cycles during the grace period, the             grace period will be reset and the countdown will be based             upon the state of the door switch based on rules (a) or (b)             above.         -   d. At the end of the grace period, the cabinet temperature             must be at or below the predetermined temperature. If the             temperature is above the predetermined temperature, a health             safety error will be triggered, the solenoid will be             signaled to lock the door and an error will be indicated on             the LED an/or display. If the temperature is at or below the             redetermined temperature, normal operation will resume.     -   6. Optionally, the health safety controller 18 further monitors         supply power to the cooler 10 with a supply power detector         circuit. When supply power is disrupted, the controller will         shed all loads (LEDs, sensors, etc.) and signal the solenoid         (from a capacitor or battery) to lock the door 13, and the         health safety controller 18 will enter into a low-power state of         operation. The controller 18 will remain in this low-power state         for a predetermined period time, for example 30 minutes, or         until AC power returns. If AC power returns before this         predetermined period of time has expired, the controller will         sample the temperature upon power-up.         -   a. If the temperature is at or below the predetermined, the             controller will return to normal operation and signal the             solenoid 34 to unlock the door 13.         -   b. If the temperature is above the predetermined             temperature, the controller will trigger a health safety             error and signal the solenoid to lock the door (to ensure             the door is still locked).         -   c. If power is not restored within the predetermined time             period, the health safety controller 18 will trigger a             health safety error. 

1. A refrigerated cooler comprising: a cabinet having an interior for storing food items requiring refrigeration and a refrigeration unit for cooling the interior of the cabinet; a controller controlling the refrigeration unit regulating the temperature of the interior of the cabinet, the controller in communication with a temperature sensor that monitors the temperature of the interior of the cabinet and is in communication with the refrigeration unit to control the operation of the refrigeration unit, the controller comparing the monitored temperature with a stored predetermined temperature; a door attached to the cabinet that selectively provides access to the interior of the cabinet and seals air within the interior of the cabinet; a door lock including a latching unit and a catch, one of each operatively connected to the cabinet and the door wherein the door lock is adapted to have a lock position and an unlock position responsive to receiving a lock position communication from the controller and wherein in the lock position the lock prevents access to the interior of the cabinet and the stored food items within the interior of the cabinet, the controller generating the lock position communication responsive to the controller determining from the comparing that the monitored temperature of the interior of the cabinet is greater than the predetermined temperature.
 2. The refrigerated enclosure of claim 1 wherein the door lock includes a solenoid for operating the door lock between the locked position and unlocked position responsive to receiving the communication from the controller.
 3. The refrigerated enclosure of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a timer determining a present time or a lapsed time and wherein the controller generating the lock position communication to the door lock when the controller determines that the interior of the cabinet has increased in temperature beyond the predetermined temperature for a period of time as determined from the timer that is greater than a predetermined period of time as stored by the controller.
 4. The refrigerated cooler of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a timer determining a present time or a lapsed time and further comprising a door position sensor that determines whether the door is open or closed, the controller operatively connected to the door position sensor and wherein the controller determines a period of time for the door being open and generates the lock position communication responsive to the controller determining the sensed temperature of the interior of the cabinet has remained above the predetermined temperature and the determined door open period of time is greater than a stored predetermined period of door open time.
 5. The refrigerated cooler of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a timer determining a present time or a lapsed time and further comprising a door position sensor that determines whether the door is open or closed, the controller determining a period of time lapsing since the door was last closed, the controller operatively connected to the door position sensor and wherein the controller generates the lock position communication responsive when the controller has determined the sensed temperature of the interior of the cabinet has remained above the predetermined temperature and the determined time lapsing since of last door closing is greater than a predetermined amount of time after the door has been closed.
 6. The refrigerated cooler of claim 1 further comprising a power supply detector circuit that determines whether a supply of power to the cooler has been interrupted, the controller operatively connected to the power supply detector circuit and wherein the controller generates an unlock position communication responsive to the supply of power being currently detected and wherein at least one of the controller generates a lock position communication responsive to the detection of the interruption of the supply of power and the door lock automatically transitions to the lock position when the supply of power is interrupted.
 7. The refrigerated cooler of claim 6 wherein the controller includes a timer determining a lapsed time and wherein the controller generates an unlock position communication to the door lock to unlock the door when the controller receives an indication from the power supply detector circuit that the supply of power has been restored to the cooler and the controller determines that the temperature of the interior of the cooler has not remained at being greater than the predetermined temperature for a period of time that is greater than a stored predetermined power interruption period of time.
 8. The refrigerated cooler of claim 1 further comprising a display operatively connected to the controller indicating an operating status of the cooler including a status indication of the door being in the lock position.
 9. The refrigerated cooler of claim 1 further comprising a safety release button disposed in the interior of the cooler the safety release button operatively coupled to the door lock unlocking the door lock that is in the lock position independent of the received lock position communication from the controller to allow a person trapped in the cooler to open the door when it is locked.
 10. The refrigerated cooler of claim 1 wherein the door lock further comprises a key slot that is accessible external to the cabinet, the key slot operable to manually change the position of the door lock between the lock position and the unlock position enabling a person to unlock the door lock independent of whether a supply of power to the cooler has been interrupted or when the door lock has been placed in the lock position by the controller.
 11. A method of controlling a refrigerated cooler having a cabinet with an interior for storing food items requiring refrigeration and a refrigeration unit for cooling the interior of the cabinet, the cabinet having a door, the method of controlling the cooler comprising the steps of: providing a controller; providing at least one temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the interior of the cooler, the sensor communicating the sensed temperature to the controller; providing a door lock that locks the door and is responsive to communications received from the controller, the controller providing a lock communication to place the door lock in a lock position and an unlock communication to place the door pock in the unlocked position; comparing by the controller of the received sensed temperature as communicated by the at least one temperature sensor to a stored predetermined temperature; generating a lock communication from the controller responsive to the comparing resulting in the sensed temperature being greater than the predetermined temperature; and placing the door lock in the lock position in response to receiving the lock communication from the controller, the lock position of the door lock preventing a user from access the interior of the cabinet and the stored food items within the cabinet interior.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein controller performs the step of providing the lock communication to the door lock by activating a solenoid associated with the door lock to operate the door lock between the unlocked position and the locked position.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the controller includes a timer, further comprising the steps of determining a present time or a lapsed time; comparing the determined present time or lapsed time with a stored predetermined period of time, wherein the controller performs the step of providing the lock communication to the door lock to lock in the lock position when controller has determined by the comparing that the interior of the cabinet has increased in temperature that is greater than the predetermined temperature and the comparing of the determined present time results in the determined present time being greater than for a stored predetermined period of time.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the controller includes a timer determining a present time or a lapsed time and further comprising the steps of: providing a door position sensor that determines whether the door is open or closed, the door position sensor being operatively connected to the controller; determining a lapsed time for each time the door position sensor determines the door is open; wherein the controller provides the lock communication to the door lock to place the door lock in the lock position when the controller has determined by the comparing that temperature of the interior of the cabinet has remained at a temperature that is greater than the predetermined temperature and has determined by the comparing of the determined lapsed time that the determined lapsed time is greater than the stored predetermined period of time after the door has been opened.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the controller includes a timer determining a present time or a lapsed time and further comprising the steps of: providing a sensor that determines whether the door is open or closed and is operatively connected to the controller; determining a lapsed time for each time the door position sensor determines the door is open; wherein the controller provides the lock communication to the door lock to place the door lock in the lock position when the controller has determined by the comparing that temperature of the interior of the cabinet has remained at a temperature that is greater than the predetermined temperature and has determined by the comparing of the determined lapsed time that the determined lapsed time is greater than the stored predetermined period of time after the door has been closed.
 16. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of: providing a power supply detection circuit, the provided power supply detection circuit determining that a supply of power to the cooler has been interrupted; when the power supply detection circuit has detected an interruption in the supply of the power, placing the door lock in the lock position.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the controller includes a timer determining a present time or a lapsed time and further comprising the step of: following the detection of the interruption in the supply of power, determining a lapsed time for the interruption in the supply of the power; comparing the determined lapsed time for the interruption of the supply of power with a stored predetermined power interruption period of time; and unlocking the door when the power supply is restored to the cooler and the controller determines by the comparing that the the temperature of the interior of the cooler has not remained greater than the stored predetermined temperature and that the comparing of the determined lapsed time for the interruption is not greater that the stored predetermined power interruption period of time. 